July 4, 1872. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



23 



with milt, and a little grain, rice, &c. Keep them very dry; 

 do not on any account permit them to have access to water 

 excepting to drink, as it will be fatal to them should they 

 get saturated with water. This may seem impossible, water 

 being the natural element of the Duck, yet it is nevertheless 

 true. Young ducklings should never be allowed to swim until 

 they have exchanged their down for feathers. I give them oc- 

 casionally on a warm day a shallow dish to wash in, but that must 

 be the extent of their indulgence. Should the weather be wet 

 they must be kept in a shed and fastened securely. Should one 

 accidently get wet and take cramp it must be placed in flannel, 

 and kept warm near a fire. Should it not appear to recover, give 

 it ten drops of spirits — gin is the best — diluted with five drops 

 of water ; this may be repeated two or three times, atintervals of 

 half an hour. I allow the Ducks to use the same fountain as the 

 hens, taking the precaution to fix a piece of wire-netting over 

 the mouthpiece, as ducklings would endeavour to stand in it. 

 Rats, weasels, &c, are great enemies to young Ducks ; indeed, 

 they are not safe from these vermin until they are several weeks 

 old, when they exchange their whistling note for a quack. 



How Ducks may be Made to Retubn a Lakge Pkofit at a 

 Small Outlay. — I purchased last season three sittings of Ducks' 

 eggs, and placed them at intervals of a few days under hens. I 

 reared thirty-two ducklings. When the different hatches were 

 three or four days old I removed them to a large warm room, 

 and gave them all to the care of one large cross-bred hen — a 

 cross between a Dorking and Brahma. She was apparently 

 quite pleased with her large family, and took the greatest care 

 of them. The weather being warm they throve well. I supplied 

 them plentifully with green food, the floor being always covered 

 with parsley, carrot tops, lettuce leaves, grass, &c. I purchased 

 a sack of Indian meal for them (240 lbs.), for which I paid £\. 

 This food is by no means the best for Ducks; a mixture of 

 barley meal ought to have been used, but I was so situated that 

 Indian meal was all I could obtain. I fed them three times each 

 day with this food and any scraps from the house, and supplied 

 them twice every day with fresh water in a shallow vessel, 

 putting a stone in the centre to prevent them attempting to 

 bathe. After they were three months old I took away the hen, 

 and removed them to a pigstye, giving them the occasional liberty 

 of a run in the yard, that they might supply themselves with 

 gravel, etc., which is necessary to their digestion, always plenti- 

 fully supplying them with abundance of green food, which they 

 devoured with great relish. By the time they severally arrived 

 at the age of three months I sold them for market purposes, 

 realising the sum of £2 12s. gross amount, they costing me 

 exactly £1. Thus, it will be seen that I realised a profit of 

 j£1 12s., or over 50 per cent. This I intend to do again on a larger 

 scale, and I may mention that had I purchased pure eggs, or 

 better still, had I kept pure birds, my profits would have been 

 greater. 



I have had in use for some years a fountain of my own con- 

 struction, very simple and easily kept clean inside ; its cost is 

 trifling. I shall be glad to furnish fountains of this construc- 

 tion to anyone requiring them. — Vincent Feaseb. 



HANTS AND BEEKS AGRICTJLTTJBAL 

 SOCIETY'S POULTRY SHOW. 



Some years since a small unpretending show was timidly feel- 

 ing its way to success, and working under every disadvantage, 

 It was confined to Basingstoke, and was held during one day 

 only. Although it was successful in a pecuniary point of view, 

 it did not go ahead. The entries did not increase, the admission 

 money was very trifling in amount. The Society lived well on 

 its subscriptions, and saved money ; but it seemed as though 

 sleepiness was coming over it, and that the subscribers yawned 

 while they paid their money to the treasurer. Then there came 

 a change, and it was determined the show should move about ; 

 also that it should be held during two days instead of one. It 

 was found a great improvement, and three days were determined 

 upon. The circle in which it moved was enlarged. While it 

 remained a small show it was lying fallow, and as soon as it was 

 vigorously stirred it burst into rapid growth, and last year 

 at Portsmouth astonished its managers. Instead of an unfenced 

 paddock, now sixteen acres are required to be enclosed by wooden 

 parings 7 feet high. Row after row of stables and pens cover the 

 ground, sheltered overhead, and protected in every way. Huge 

 steam engines are at work. Hard stones are broken or pulve- 

 rised ; water is pumped by a small steam appliance, sufficient to 

 supply the wants of the yard. Poultry, horses, and cattle bring 

 these and other things together. It would seem that when men 

 are out for pleasure they part more readily with their money ; 

 hence row after row of stalls, reminding one either of a con- 

 tinental fair or an eastern bazaar. Carriages so light as to go 

 alone ; magnetic appliances that would cure 



" The gout, the colic, and the phthsick,'' 

 to say nothing of rheumatism ; steam engines that can do all but 

 talk ; tops that spin according to rules, give no end of rainbows, 



and ever so many to spare ; sewing machines that require .'only 

 to be supplied with thread or cotton — (it may be observed paren- 

 thetically that it was said Her Majesty said that an agricultural 

 show was the last place she should come to for a sewiugmachine) ; 

 toys of every description ; glue, that makes things stronger when 

 mended than they were before they were broken. It is marvel- 

 lous. — (Reporter.) Photography was there of course. Every- 

 thing and everyone were there. 



There was but one doubt — the weather. The early morning 

 was bright, but the sun was not red. It was fine till between 

 nine and ten, when there was a deluge. It ceased, and the sun 

 was scorching. One question was in everyone's mouth — " Will 

 the Queen come ? " The Royal Counties Association, held in the 

 Home Park, on sixteen acres of level and beautiful green 

 sward, bounded on one side by the wooded slopes, crowned by 

 the Castle, seemed to give an answer. The terrace overlooking 

 the grounds was covered with spectators, and no one doubted 

 Queen's weather. They were not disappointed. Soon after 

 eleven distant cheers were heard. Every eye was turned in the 

 direction whence they came. After a few minutes the outriders, 

 in scarlet liveries and mounted on grey horses, were seen head- 

 ing the procession. It was picturesque ; now in sight, now 

 hidden, at length they emerged from all concealment, and the 

 Queen entered the Show amid the loud cheers of her loyal sub- 

 jects. She remained an hour and a half, and departed, cheered 

 as at her entrance. God save the Queen ! 



The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Show in the 

 afternoon, but the weather was not propitious. They, neverthe- 

 less, seemed to enjoy the spectacle, and stayed till the last 

 moment. 



A capital display of Dorkings opened the poultry show. 

 Twenty pens of good birds. Colonel Lane was first, Lord 

 Tumour second. Many others deserved and received all the 

 honours the Judge could bestow. Cochins were numerous, and 

 the prizes were scattered. The first went to Mr. Harris, St. 

 Day, Cornwall ; the second to Mr. Woodgate, Tunbridge Wells. 

 They were a good class. The first prize in Game went to St. 

 Austell, Cornwall; the second stayed at the Royal Counties, 

 going to Remenham Place, Berks. The same may be said of the 

 Other Variety Game class ; the first went to Cornwall, the 

 other to Southampton. The names will be found in our prize- 

 list. The Golden Polands and the Black with White Crests were 

 very good. The Spanish were not as good as might be, except 

 the first-prize pen. They belonged to Miss Browne, of Chard, 

 and were very good. Golden-pencilled Hamburghs were good; 

 the Silver were indifferent. The Golden-spangled were very 

 good, especially the first-prize pen, belonging to Miss Palmer of 

 Odiham. The same may be said of the Silver-spangled. Light 

 Brahmas were well represented, adding both prizes to the many 

 laurels of Mr. Pares, of Guildford. Dark Brahmas were numerous, 

 and many good pens, but many were vulture-hocked to a painful 

 extent. Mr. Fowler's were very good birds. Andalusians were 

 weak in numbers, but very good. Bantams were in force. Mr. 

 Pares was first again, and the Rev. G. Knight, of Chelmsford, 

 second. In the Variety class of Bantams, Sebrights took both 

 prizes. Three prizes were offered for the French breeds, and 

 brought a good show. Mr. Wood, of TJttoxeter took first ; the 

 Rev. N. J. Ridley second and third. The Varieties brought the 

 usual numbers ; Malays and Silkies were the favoured, the latter 

 taking the first prize. 



Aylesbury and Rouen Ducks were a cuckoo note of success for 

 Mr. J. K. Fowler, save second in Aylesbury, that went to Mr. 

 Hedges " of that ilk." The varieties of Ducks brought Cazarkas, 

 Sheldrakes, and Buenos Ayrean ; the latter most excellent, and 

 the others shown in beautiful condition. Geese and Turkeys 

 were good and heavy, especially the latter. The Rev. N. Ridley 

 and Miss Julia Milward deserved their honours. 



Bigeons and Babbits deserve mention, especially the latter, 

 but for the present our space will not admit of it. 



We must conclude by saying the Show was very successful, 

 and the Secretary, Mr. Downes, met the success he deserves. 

 The Judge was Mr. Baily. 



Dorkings.— 1, Lieut.-Col. H. B. Lane, Lily Hill, Bracknell. 2, Lord Tumour* 

 Shillinglee Park, Petworth. lie, T. Buckland, Windsor ; T. C. Buinell, Michel" 

 dever. c, T. Buckland; C. Pannell, Oatlands Park. Weybridge. 



Cochins.— 1, S. R. Harris, Cnsgrave, St. Day. 2, R. S. S. Woodgate, Pem- 

 bury, Tunbridge Wells, he, Miss J. Milward'. Newton St. Loe, Bristol ; H. 

 Lloyd, jun., Handsworth ; J. K. Fowler. Aylesbury; Horace Lingwood, Creet 

 ing, Needham Market: H. D. Dent, Cosham. 



Game. —Blaclc-breasted and other Reds.—l, H. Browne. St. AustelL 2, C. H 

 Ames, Remenham Place, he, S. Matthews, Stowmarket ; T. G. Ledger. 

 Folkestone, c, H. E. Martin, Sculthorpe, Fakenham. Any other variety— 1, 

 H. Browne (Duckwing Game). 2, P. Warren, Southampton'(DuckwingGame), 

 e. Capt. C. F. Terry, Burvalc, Walton-on-Thames (Duckwing Game); S. 

 Matthews, Stowmarket (Dnckwing Game). 



Poland.— 1, J. Hinton, Warminster. 2. T. P. Edwards, Lyndhurst. 



Spanish.— 1. MiBS E. Browne, Chardleigh Green, Chard. 2, P. WarTen, 

 Southamplon. 



Hamburghs. — Gold-pencilled. — 1, C. Bloodworth, Cheltenham. 2. T. G. 

 Ledger, he, F. G. Coleridge, Wargrave, Henley-on-Thames. Silver-pencilled. 

 — 1, S. R. Harris. 



Hamburghs.— Gold.spanoled.-l, Miss C. E. Palmer, odiham. 2. R. Wilkin- 

 son, Guildtord. c, S. K. Harris. Silver -spangled.— 1, Miss E. Miller, Wood- 

 lands, Erleigh. 2, S. R. Harris. 



Br*hma Pootra — Light. — 1 and , ,T. Pares. P.atford. Guildford, he, Rev. 

 M. Rice, Steyning. Dark.— 1, H. Dent, Cosham. 2, J. K. Fowlsr, Ayles- 

 bury, he, Rey. J. Ellis, Bracknell Horace Lingwood. 



